Method for analyzing a golf swing

ABSTRACT

A method for analyzing a golf swing in which at least part of a golf ball is coated with a powder. The coated golf ball is then struck with a golf club and the pattern of the powder transferred to the golf club is examined to analyze the golf swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf aids and, moreparticularly, to a method for analyzing a golf swing.

II. Description of Related Art

The game of golf is a popular yet challenging sport. One reason for thepopularity of the game of golf is that it is always possible for anyplayer to improve his or her game.

In order to achieve the low scores desired in the game of golf, it isnecessary to strike the ball properly with the golf club. Unfortunately,many golfers misstrike the golf ball so that the golf club contacts thegolf ball outside the “sweet spot” of the club. When this happens, thegolf ball often fails to go in the desired direction and usually forless than the desired distance.

The proper analysis of a golf swing, however, has proven difficult. Thisdifficulty arises in large part because of the speed of the golf clubthrough impact with the golf ball. This relatively high speed, oftenexceeding 90 miles per hour, renders it virtually impossible todetermine not only the position of the golf ball on the golf club duringimpact, but also the angle of the golf club head movement at impact.While high speed video equipment and video replay of the shot is helpfulfor determining the type of misstrikes in a golf swing, such equipmentis expensive and unavailable to most golfers.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for analyzing a golf swing whichovercomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously knownmethods.

In brief, in the method of the present invention, at least a part of agolf ball is coated with a powder. Any powder, such as chalk, will do.

Thereafter, the golf ball is struck with a golf club. In doing so, atleast a portion of the powder dislodges from the golf ball and transfersto the golf club. The pattern of the powder transfer to the golf club isthen examined to determine not only the point of impact of the golf ballwith the golf club, but also the angle of the golf club head movement atimpact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the following detailed description when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters referto like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the method of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view illustrating a pattern of transfer of powderto the golf club head during the golf swing;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating a different type ofgolf swing; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, but illustrating still afurther type of golf swing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference first to FIG. 1, a flowchart illustrating the method ofthe present invention is shown. At step 10 at least a portion of a golfball is coated with a powder, such as chalk. Any appropriate method maybe utilized to coat the ball with the powder. For example, an aerosolspray can of powder may be used, the golf ball may be dipped into acontainer of powder, or powder may be poured onto the golf ball.

Thereafter at step 20 the powder coated golf ball is struck with a golfclub. In doing so, at least a portion of the powder is transferredduring impact to the head of the golf club. This powder transfer,furthermore, will vary not only depending upon the position of the golfclub head which strikes the golf ball, but also the angle of the golfclub head movement at impact.

After the golf ball has been struck at step 20, the pattern of thepowder transfer to the golf club head is examined at step 30. Thispattern will vary not only depending upon the position that the golfclub head strikes the golf ball, but also the angle of movement of thegolf club head during impact.

For example, with reference to FIG. 2 an exemplary pattern 32 of powdertransferred to the golf club head 34 is illustrated. This pattern 32 isfairly uniform, but positioned on the toe 36 of the golf club head 34.Consequently, the pattern 32 is indicative of a golf club swing wherethe golf club head 34 was properly squared during impact, but improperlycontacted the golf club head 34 on the toe, rather than the centralsweet spot.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a different pattern 36 of the transfer ofthe powder to the golf club head 34 is shown. In the pattern 36, thegolf ball was struck at the outside of the central or “sweet” spot ofthe golf club head 34. However, the pattern 36 of the powder transfershows excessive powder toward the toe 36 from the point of impact 38.Such a pattern of powder transfer would indicate that the golf club head34 was swung from the outside toward the inside relative to the golferwhich usually results in a slice.

With reference now to FIG. 4, an exemplary pattern 40 of the powder onthe golf club head 34 is illustrated. In this pattern 40, the pattern iscentered around the point 42 of impact which is properly in the centeror sweet spot for the golf club head 34. Additionally, a slightconcentration of powder on the heel side of the golf club head 34 asshown at 44 is indicative of an inside to outside swing which producesthe desired draw for the golf ball trajectory.

It will be understood, of course, that FIGS. 2-4 are merely exemplary ofa few different golf swings. Other golf swings will produce otherpatterns.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides asimple, inexpensive and yet effective method for analyzing a golf swing.Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains withoutdeviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A method for analyzing a golf swing comprising the steps of: coatingat least part of a golf ball with a powder, thereafter striking the golfball with a golf club, and examining the pattern of powder transferredto the golf club.
 2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein saidpowder comprises chalk.